It's M People for the Southport Summer Classics

Fronted by gravelly-voiced singer Heather Small, the Manchester group have been together for nearly 20 years and have released nine albums including Bizarre Fruit, Elegant Slumming and a Best Of album.

They have notched up an impressive ten top ten singles and have sold more than 10million records.

Some of their best known hits include Sight For Sore Eyes, Search for A Hero, One Night in Heaven and Moving On Up.

Small has also had great success as a solo singer, her song Proud became the anthem for London's successful 2012 Olympic bid.

And now the band will perform in front of thousands of Sandgrounders in Southport’s Victoria Park.

The Southport Summer Classics is organised each year by Sefton Council.

Carolyn Lowry, from the council’s events team, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome M People to Southport to take part in this fantastic outdoor performance.

“We are really pleased to have attracted this big-name band.Heather Small has such an amazing and distinctive voice and with their upbeat classic hits, I'm hoping this will be a evening of music to remember!”

M People perform on Friday, July 25.

Also performing at this yea’s two day event is the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Vasily Petrenko.

The programme has yet to be confirmed but will be a selection of popular classical music.

Prior to their recital there will be a performance of ITOKU from the Sefton Schools Opera project.

Tickets for M People cost £25 and are available by ringing 01704-540011 or by logging onto visit www.visitsouthport.com/summer-classics